Mayor Bill Eaton spoke about economic development in Arkansas at the Workforce Alliance for Growth in the Economy (WAGE) regular meeting last week.

Eaton showed the crowd statistics on Arkansas' economic indicators from a Dec. 6 issue of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, which included information about Arkansas gas prices, construction contracts, manufacturing wages, unemployment, home sales and more.

Following Eaton's talk, WAGE chair Callie Morgan discussed the work of the Arkansas Valley Alliance for Economic Development and showed the group information from the organization's website, www.arkansasvalleyalliance.org.

The Arkansas Valley Alliance for Economic Development is a nonprofit public/private partnership formed in 1996 with two priorities: "recruit new manufacturers to the area and assist existing manufacturers with expansion projects and local issues," its website states.

Jackie Harris, WAGE coordinator, recognized 10 recent WAGE graduates and gave an update of four WAGE graduates who have continued class to earn additional certificates.

Harris said a WAGE graduate recently got good news.

"Janet Jones has obtained employment with Arkansas Workforce Center through [the] Experience Works [program]," she said.

Alan Nolan, Russellville Adult Education Center (RAEC) director, was on hand at the meeting to answer questions about the new General Education Development (GED) testing procedures that will be implemented in January.

Nolan and certified staff members attended training in Rogers and Little Rock in October.

In other business, the WAGE Advisory Committee received the WAGE Center Activities Report and approved the March 19 meeting information.